Overview

• The Centre for Retail Research forecasts 17,349 UK retail closures in 2025, up from 13,479 last year, citing increased National Insurance contributions and minimum wage hikes.
• NatWest is shutting 21 branches this month, with plans to close 53 by the end of June, as part of a broader move toward digital banking.
• WHSmith will close three stores in May, continuing its pivot from high street locations to travel hubs after selling nearly 500 branches to Modella Capital.
• Morrisons' cost-cutting 'renewal programme' includes the closure of 17 Morrisons Daily stores and 52 cafés, with further cuts to other in-store services.
• Beales, one of the UK's oldest department store names, will close its final branch in Poole on May 14, citing tax and wage pressures as the reason for its closure.